Meininger City Hotel (Hamburg)

One of the coolest hostels you can stay in is Meininger Hostel. As one fellow traveller put it, they don't know whether they want to be a hotel or a hostel...and that sums it up nicely.

Meininger Hostel is a chain of upscale lodgings for budget travellers be they modern backpackers---who, let's face it, expect more for their money in regards to comfort and modernity than hippies of yesteryear---or young tourists on holiday. Note: during my stay there were also several guests who were either "family," "group," or just plain older so it is not all about students in between school terms.

During my visit to Hamburg I stayed the entire time (about a week) at the Meininger. I was a walk-in and was able to secure a bed. As I re-booked or extended my stay every morning, for the first four nights I must have stayed in about three different dorm rooms on three different floors (it has six floors)! I couldn't really count it as a nuisance since I was just glad to have a place to sleep but, aside from that, the hostel/hotel was great. The place is within walking distance and easy to reach from the Altona subway station (S1); when all else fails just look for the red M.

The youthful German staff are fluent in English (and other languages) and quite professional and polite. They really aim to make you feel welcomed. This is probably due to the "hotel" mentality. Everyone with whom I spoke marveled at the (affordable)chicness of the hostel. We were all impressed and pleased. I paid between 15-19 euros for each night's stay.

FREE Internet is more appealing than shilling out money on a perfect stranger who probably won't hit the sack with you

The hostel provides FREE wireless but you have to pay otherwise; there is FREE luggage storage and use of the kitchen. A buffet breakfast can be had for four euros and use of the laundry is about 5 euros. There is a swank bar and two commons areas in the lobby but I did not notice much socializing between guests. For one, the drink prices are rather high considering you can walk around the corner and buy your coffee or alcohol for a third of the price; and two, most guys were busy surfing online. Sorry girls but FREE Internet is more appealing than shilling out money on a perfect stranger who probably won't hit the sack with you.

I loved the rooms. Each---each---room has its own separate toilet and shower and television. Every bed is equipped with a reading light and linen and, get this, because the bunk beds have wooden frames they don't squeak. A tall locker corresponds with each bed and, like the door, is activated by the electronic key (so one needn't worry about a padlock).
One morning I spotted a bed bug approaching my backpack and killed it with a vengeance! The cleaning staff of the establishment are on the ball so the bed bug had, doubtlessly, hitched a ride from a fellow traveller. I've had no signs of the monsters since so am grateful I killed the bloodsucker before it had a chance to strike and reproduce.

The youthful German staff are fluent in English and quite polite. They really aim to make you feel welcomed

Although I spent most of my time in Germany in Berlin I didn't learn about Meininger Hostels until I went to Hamburg. Turns out Berlin has three of its own! Although they are slightly more pricey than some independent hostels it is only sligtly and, yes, a guest gets his money's worth. Look for the red.

Meininger City Hotel Hamburg
Goethealle 11
Hamburg (Altona) 22765
website